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BL 6-inch 30 cwt howitzer

January 01, 1970

The Ordnance BL 6 inch 30cwt howitzer was a British medium howitzer used in the Second Boer War and early in World War I. The qualifier "30cwt" refers to the weight of the barrel and breech together which weighed 30 hundredweight (cwt) : 30 × 112 lb = 3,360 lb. It can be identified by the slightly flared shape of the muzzle and large recuperator springs below the barrel.

BL 6 inch 30 cwt Howitzer
With breech open, circa. 1900
TypeMedium howitzer
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1896 - 1918
WarsSecond Boer War
World War I
Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922)
German invasion of Greece
Production history
Designed1896
No. built120
Specifications
Mass7733lb (3507kg) [1]
Crew10
Shell weightLyddite : 122 lb 9 oz (55.59 kg),[2] later 100 lb (45.36 kg);[3]
Shrapnel  : 100 lb (45.36 kg)
Calibre6-inch (152.4 mm)
RecoilHydro spring, 18 inch[4]
CarriageWheeled, box trail
Elevation-10° - 35° (wheeled carriage)
35° - 70° (siege mount)[4]
Muzzle velocity777 ft/s (237 m/s) [4]
Maximum firing range5,200 yds (122lb 9oz shell, on wheeled travelling carriage); 7,000 yds (122lb 9oz shell, on siege mounting)
7,000 yards (100 lb shell, on wheeled travelling carriage)[5]

History edit

The BL 6-inch 30 cwt howitzer was introduced in 1896, based on an Indian Army design.

Its original shell was 122 pounds 9 ounces (55.6 kg) Lyddite explosive. In 1901 a lighter 100 lb (45 kg) shell was introduced which increased maximum range when firing from its wheeled travelling carriage to 7000 yards.[6] These were then referred to as the "heavy" and "light" shell respectively. A 100 lb shrapnel shell was also available.

It was phased out and replaced by the 6 inch 26 cwt howitzer from late 1915 onwards. Also, in 1915 it received barrel, breechlock, recoil system and ammunition upgrades increasing its maximum range to 10400 meters (8400 meters with standard ammunition).(See specifications)

Combat use edit

 
On siege mounting

This gun was designed as a siege howitzer firing a special 122 pounds 9 ounces (55.59 kg) howitzer shell. It was designed to be fired from a static siege platform, with wheels removed, for accurate long-range shooting. When fired mounted on its normal wheeled travelling carriage, which had become standard practice for modern medium artillery, its range and accuracy diminished due to limited elevation and also lack of a modern recoil mechanism.

Second Boer War edit

 
In South Africa, Second Boer War

Twelve guns were employed in South Africa in the Second Boer War as part of the British siege train. It was during this campaign that the short range limitation became evident, and shell weight was traded for greater range in 1901 with the introduction of a "light" 100 pounds (45.36 kg) shell which increased maximum range when firing from its wheeled travelling carriage to 7000 yards. No use was found for the siege platform which allowed elevation to 70°: ”This capability was designed for distinct siege operation, and in South Africa the need for this did not arise. In this theatre the platform was an encumbrance, and it was discovered that it could be dispensed with.”[6]

World War I edit

 
Gun landing at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 1915

When World War I began approximately 80 guns were still available. They constituted the only true heavy artillery the British army possessed, and were heavily engaged in the early battles in France and Flanders. It was adapted to use the standard 100 pounds (45.36 kg) gun shell, with a slight enlargement of the chamber to produce Mk I*, allowing slightly larger propellant charges.[7] It served in all theatres, including the Western Front, until replaced by the modern 6 inch 26 cwt howitzer from late 1915. At Gallipoli, where there was a lower priority for modern ordnance, the 6 inch 30 cwt was used at Helles by 14th Siege Battery RGA (4 guns), attached to 29th Division, and at Anzac by the Australian 1st Heavy Artillery Battery (2 guns from the Royal Malta Artillery, crewed by the Royal Marine Artillery, which arrived in May).[8]

In Greek Service (1917–1941) edit

 
Gun in Greek service during the war against Turkey

The BL 6-inch 30 cwt howitzer entered service with the Greek Army in late 1917, when due to shortage and obsoleteness of Greek howitzers, the British Army transferred 40 pieces to the National Defence Army Corps, which was operating in the Macedonian front. These pieces made up for a full Howitzer Regiment of 36 guns, composed of 3 squadrons and 3 batteries (4 guns) each, which saw action during the closing phases of the war and the Macedonian Front breakthrough.

During the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), the Howitzer Regiment dispatched a 155 mm (sic) Howitzer Squadron from 1919 to early 1922, which was used as Army Reserve Artillery. After February 1922, the Howitzer Regiment was fully deployed in Asia Minor, but its 9 batteries were being mainly used to reinforce divisional artillery in the front sectors that were deemed dangerous for a Turkish breakthrough.

The BL 6-inch 30 cwt howitzer continued to serve in the Greek Artillery for another 18 years, but from 1932 it was already rendered "obsolete" and in need of "extensive repairs to return to operational status". Despite this, at least 16 pieces were deployed behind the "Metaxas Line" along the Greco-Bulgarian border in late 1939 and participated in the desperate battle against the invading German Army from 6 to 9 April 1941.

World War I ammunition edit

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
2 lb 8½ oz cordite cartridge for "light" (100 lb) shell, showing arrangement of cordite rings around central core.
One or more rings were removed for shorter ranges.
Mk I 100-lb "light" lyddite shell
No 17 D.A. percussion fuze for lydditte shells
Star shell
Mk IX 100 lb shrapnel shell for gun or howitzer (1 inch G.S. fuze gauge)
Mk I 100 lb "light" shrapnel shell for howitzer (2 inch fuze gauge)
Mk IV T friction tube

Operators edit

See also edit

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era edit

Surviving examples edit

 
Gun at the Imperial War Museum Duxford
 
Gun at the War Museum of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • A gun at Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, London 26 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • A gun at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK
  • A gun at the War Museum of Athens, Greece
  • A gun at the War Museum, Salonica, Greece
  • A "gatekeeper" gun in NDC-GR HQ, Salonica, Greece.

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ Hogg, Ian. Twentieth-Century Artillery. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2000. ISBN 0-7607-1994-2 Pg.61
  2. ^ Text Book of Gunnery 1902, Table XII Page 336
  3. ^ Treatise on Ammunition, 10th Edition, 1915
  4. ^ a b c Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 125
  5. ^ Clarke 2005, page 20
  6. ^ a b Hall June 1972
  7. ^ Treatise on Ammunition, 1915. Page 95. War Office.
  8. ^ CEW Bean,"THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA IN THE WAR OF 1914-1918 Volume II" page 80. 11th Edition, published by Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 1941

Bibliography edit

  • Text Book of Gunnery, 1902. LONDON : PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, BY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE Archived 12 July 2012 at archive.today
  • Dale Clarke, ISBN 1-84176-788-3
  • I.V. Hogg & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914-1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972. ISBN 978-0-7110-0381-1
  • Major Darrel Hall, "Guns in South Africa 1899-1902 Part V and VI" in The South African Military History Society Military History Journal - Vol 2 No 3, June 1972
  • Hellenic Army General Staff / Army History Directorate, Volumes regarding Greek Army Operations in WWI, Asia Minor and WWII.
  • Hogg, Ian. Twentieth-Century Artillery. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2000. ISBN 0-7607-1994-2 Pg.61

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BL 6 inch 30 cwt Howitzer.
  • Handbook for the 6-inch B.L. Howitzer, 30 cwt. 1909. Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
  • 6 inch B.L. howitzer, section gun drill - 1912 Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
  • BL 6 inch 30 cwt Howitzer at Landships


January 01, 1970
inch, howitzer, ordnance, inch, 30cwt, howitzer, british, medium, howitzer, used, second, boer, early, world, qualifier, 30cwt, refers, weight, barrel, breech, together, which, weighed, hundredweight, identified, slightly, flared, shape, muzzle, large, recuper. The Ordnance BL 6 inch 30cwt howitzer was a British medium howitzer used in the Second Boer War and early in World War I The qualifier 30cwt refers to the weight of the barrel and breech together which weighed 30 hundredweight cwt 30 112 lb 3 360 lb It can be identified by the slightly flared shape of the muzzle and large recuperator springs below the barrel BL 6 inch 30 cwt HowitzerWith breech open circa 1900TypeMedium howitzerPlace of originUnited KingdomService historyIn service1896 1918WarsSecond Boer WarWorld War IGreco Turkish War 1919 1922 German invasion of GreeceProduction historyDesigned1896No built120SpecificationsMass7733lb 3507kg 1 Crew10Shell weightLyddite 122 lb 9 oz 55 59 kg 2 later 100 lb 45 36 kg 3 Shrapnel 100 lb 45 36 kg Calibre6 inch 152 4 mm RecoilHydro spring 18 inch 4 CarriageWheeled box trailElevation 10 35 wheeled carriage 35 70 siege mount 4 Muzzle velocity777 ft s 237 m s 4 Maximum firing range5 200 yds 122lb 9oz shell on wheeled travelling carriage 7 000 yds 122lb 9oz shell on siege mounting 7 000 yards 100 lb shell on wheeled travelling carriage 5 Contents 1 History 2 Combat use 2 1 Second Boer War 2 2 World War I 2 3 In Greek Service 1917 1941 3 World War I ammunition 4 Operators 5 See also 5 1 Weapons of comparable role performance and era 6 Surviving examples 7 Notes and references 8 Bibliography 9 External linksHistory editThe BL 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer was introduced in 1896 based on an Indian Army design Its original shell was 122 pounds 9 ounces 55 6 kg Lyddite explosive In 1901 a lighter 100 lb 45 kg shell was introduced which increased maximum range when firing from its wheeled travelling carriage to 7000 yards 6 These were then referred to as the heavy and light shell respectively A 100 lb shrapnel shell was also available It was phased out and replaced by the 6 inch 26 cwt howitzer from late 1915 onwards Also in 1915 it received barrel breechlock recoil system and ammunition upgrades increasing its maximum range to 10400 meters 8400 meters with standard ammunition See specifications This section needs expansion You can help by adding to it May 2008 Combat use edit nbsp On siege mounting This gun was designed as a siege howitzer firing a special 122 pounds 9 ounces 55 59 kg howitzer shell It was designed to be fired from a static siege platform with wheels removed for accurate long range shooting When fired mounted on its normal wheeled travelling carriage which had become standard practice for modern medium artillery its range and accuracy diminished due to limited elevation and also lack of a modern recoil mechanism Second Boer War edit nbsp In South Africa Second Boer War Twelve guns were employed in South Africa in the Second Boer War as part of the British siege train It was during this campaign that the short range limitation became evident and shell weight was traded for greater range in 1901 with the introduction of a light 100 pounds 45 36 kg shell which increased maximum range when firing from its wheeled travelling carriage to 7000 yards No use was found for the siege platform which allowed elevation to 70 This capability was designed for distinct siege operation and in South Africa the need for this did not arise In this theatre the platform was an encumbrance and it was discovered that it could be dispensed with 6 World War I edit nbsp Gun landing at Anzac Cove Gallipoli 1915 When World War I began approximately 80 guns were still available They constituted the only true heavy artillery the British army possessed and were heavily engaged in the early battles in France and Flanders It was adapted to use the standard 100 pounds 45 36 kg gun shell with a slight enlargement of the chamber to produce Mk I allowing slightly larger propellant charges 7 It served in all theatres including the Western Front until replaced by the modern 6 inch 26 cwt howitzer from late 1915 At Gallipoli where there was a lower priority for modern ordnance the 6 inch 30 cwt was used at Helles by 14th Siege Battery RGA 4 guns attached to 29th Division and at Anzac by the Australian 1st Heavy Artillery Battery 2 guns from the Royal Malta Artillery crewed by the Royal Marine Artillery which arrived in May 8 In Greek Service 1917 1941 edit nbsp Gun in Greek service during the war against Turkey The BL 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer entered service with the Greek Army in late 1917 when due to shortage and obsoleteness of Greek howitzers the British Army transferred 40 pieces to the National Defence Army Corps which was operating in the Macedonian front These pieces made up for a full Howitzer Regiment of 36 guns composed of 3 squadrons and 3 batteries 4 guns each which saw action during the closing phases of the war and the Macedonian Front breakthrough During the Greco Turkish War 1919 1922 the Howitzer Regiment dispatched a 155 mm sic Howitzer Squadron from 1919 to early 1922 which was used as Army Reserve Artillery After February 1922 the Howitzer Regiment was fully deployed in Asia Minor but its 9 batteries were being mainly used to reinforce divisional artillery in the front sectors that were deemed dangerous for a Turkish breakthrough The BL 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer continued to serve in the Greek Artillery for another 18 years but from 1932 it was already rendered obsolete and in need of extensive repairs to return to operational status Despite this at least 16 pieces were deployed behind the Metaxas Line along the Greco Bulgarian border in late 1939 and participated in the desperate battle against the invading German Army from 6 to 9 April 1941 World War I ammunition edit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 2 lb 8 oz cordite cartridge for light 100 lb shell showing arrangement of cordite rings around central core One or more rings were removed for shorter ranges Mk I 100 lb light lyddite shell No 17 D A percussion fuze for lydditte shells Star shell Mk IX 100 lb shrapnel shell for gun or howitzer 1 inch G S fuze gauge Mk I 100 lb light shrapnel shell for howitzer 2 inch fuze gauge Mk IV T friction tubeOperators edit nbsp Australia 2 howitzers 1st Heavy Artillery Battery see Ross Mallett AIF 1914 1918 Artillery amp 2 Gallipoli nbsp United Kingdom Royal Garrison Artillery nbsp Greece 12 howitzers Howitzer Battery World War I Macedonian front 36 howitzers Howitzer Regiment Greco Turkish War 1919 1922 See also edit6 inch 26 cwt howitzer British Empire successor List of howitzers Weapons of comparable role performance and era edit 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze M 94 Austro Hungarian equivalent Rimailho Model 1904TR French equivalent 152 mm howitzer M1910 French Russian equivalent 15 cm sFH 02 German equivalent 6 inch howitzer M1908 approximate US equivalentSurviving examples edit nbsp Gun at the Imperial War Museum Duxford nbsp Gun at the War Museum of Thessaloniki Greece A gun at Royal Artillery Museum Woolwich London Archived 26 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine A gun at the Imperial War Museum Duxford UK A gun at the War Museum of Athens Greece A gun at the War Museum Salonica Greece A gatekeeper gun in NDC GR HQ Salonica Greece Notes and references edit Hogg Ian Twentieth Century Artillery New York Barnes amp Noble Books 2000 ISBN 0 7607 1994 2 Pg 61 Text Book of Gunnery 1902 Table XII Page 336 Treatise on Ammunition 10th Edition 1915 a b c Hogg amp Thurston 1972 page 125 Clarke 2005 page 20 a b Hall June 1972 Treatise on Ammunition 1915 Page 95 War Office CEW Bean THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA IN THE WAR OF 1914 1918 Volume II page 80 11th Edition published by Angus amp Robertson Sydney 1941Bibliography editText Book of Gunnery 1902 LONDON PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY S STATIONERY OFFICE BY HARRISON AND SONS ST MARTIN S LANE Archived 12 July 2012 at archive today Dale Clarke British Artillery 1914 1919 Heavy Artillery Osprey Publishing Oxford UK 2005 ISBN 1 84176 788 3 I V Hogg amp L F Thurston British Artillery Weapons amp Ammunition 1914 1918 London Ian Allan 1972 ISBN 978 0 7110 0381 1 Major Darrel Hall Guns in South Africa 1899 1902 Part V and VI in The South African Military History Society Military History Journal Vol 2 No 3 June 1972 Hellenic Army General Staff Army History Directorate Volumes regarding Greek Army Operations in WWI Asia Minor and WWII Hogg Ian Twentieth Century Artillery New York Barnes amp Noble Books 2000 ISBN 0 7607 1994 2 Pg 61External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to BL 6 inch 30 cwt Howitzer Handbook for the 6 inch B L Howitzer 30 cwt 1909 Hosted online by State Library of Victoria Australia 6 inch B L howitzer section gun drill 1912 Hosted online by State Library of Victoria Australia BL 6 inch 30 cwt Howitzer at Landships Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title BL 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer amp oldid 1223786770, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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